Firefighters' Labor Contract Ratified with Cuts

April 18, 2009

San Diego, C.A. - It was announced by Mayor Jerry Sanders that city firefighters have agreed on a two year contract that will give up all of their holiday hours and pick up a bigger share of retirement contributions.

The firefighters union, which represents around 1,400 firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and paramedics, is the first among San Diego’s three unions to ratify their labor contracts that could help end the city’s immense budget gap and maintain city jobs.

The terms of the contract, which totals to a 6% cut in compensation include salary and benefits freeze over the next two years, will reduce the $900 uniform allowance by almost half and remove all 140 holiday hours that are accrued annually. In addition, firefighters will also be required to contribute more toward their own retirement.

An estimated $5.82 million will be saved annually due to these cuts. At present, 973 uniformed officers are employed by the department, with the budget of about $191 million.